Hand-held Computing

Using the sites below answer the following questions:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/10/intel-explains-mid-vs-umpc/
http://www.umpcportal.com/products/

1. What are MID & UMPC devices? How do they differ. List atleast three examples of both types of devices & include images.
An MID is a mobile internet device and a UMPC is the ultra mobile portable computer. The difference between both devices is that the UMPC is a business-class device thats for enterprise users and the MID is a consumer-class lifestyle device. The UMPC runs a "heavy" OS (Operating System) like Vista and the MID runs a "lightweight" OS with a fast startup such as Linux. The UMPC is optimized for office-use things like Excel or Word, whereas the MID is for media playback and websurfing.
Examples of MID: Dell Streak, Archos 5 Internet Table & Huawei Smakit S7
Examples of UMPC: Viliv N5, Archos 9 & Sony Vaio

Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQgiZd0-DxI&feature=related
and answer the following question:

2. What are the differences between a Notebook handheld computing device and a Netbook handheld computing device?
The screen size of a Netbook would usually be around 7", 9" & 10" but a Notebook's size would be 12.1", 13.1", 13.3", 14.1", 15.4" & 17". The size difference is obvious so the Netbook would be much smaller. But you still get some tradeoff's. Power, Memory and Storage.
The Notebook is running with Vista and it can run XP it has a dual core processor with a large regular hardrive and it can have up to 80 to 320 GB worth of storgae space onboard. The Netbooks usually have very a small storage space, usually 4 to 80 GB sometimes even bigger. The Netbook wouldn't be a place to store a lot of movies or videos maybe only a few pictures, songs because you can play music on it. It wouldn't be a place to put on games or applications, there won't be Photoshop or Word or Excel. The whole point of it is the Net-Centric Computing. For example, sufing the web, checking your email and running web applications. You shouldn't run complex programs on this because it wil run very slowly because of the processor, it has an Intel Atom 1.6GHz (very small and does the basic stuff).
A notebook can do everything a normal computer would do and includes a DVD disk drive. The netbook battery life lasts about 3 to 4 hours and the Notebooks waste their power much more quickly and will only go for about 2 to 4 hours. With Netbooks you can ungrade the batteries which give you 6 to 10 hours of battery life.

3. Using the following sites, describe the design & features of the Apple Ipad then discuss how it compares with a Netbook.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoMo4BcvPbA
With the Ipad there are no usb ports so you can't plug in usb's or other things with a usb cord. However the Ipad has many other features that a Netbook won't have such as applications and very small weight. It also has more storage space included in it.
The ipad has no webcam, no multitasking and no HDMI port and no flash. It is called a purpose filled device, it can watch videos very well and web browsing. The internet speed is much faster and is there to surprise you.

4. Of the three handheld devices - Notebook, netbook & Ipad – which one would suit your needs and why?


5. If I was looking for a UMPC device with a screen size of 10 in or less, which would you recommend? Justify your choice.


6. View some of the videos at this link http://www.umpcportal.com/
How would you envisage students five years from now using one of these devices at school. Select any UMPC / MID device that you have researched that would meet a students needs, justify your choice.